Copycat Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza Recipe
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| Bake up that buffet-style comfort at home with a soft crust, creamy macaroni, and a bubbly golden cheese topping everyone will want warm from the oven. |
If you’ve ever stood at the buffet dreaming about Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza, you are not alone. That soft pizza crust, the creamy mac and cheese, the gooey melted cheese on top, and that golden baked finish? It’s pure comfort food. The good news is you can make a copycat Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza recipe at home with simple ingredients and easy steps.
This recipe is family friendly, budget friendly, and honestly a lot of fun to make. It brings together two favorite comfort foods in one pan. If your house loves pizza night and mac and cheese night, this one feels like the best of both worlds.
Why People Love Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza
Cici’s is known across the USA for its casual buffet style pizza, fun atmosphere, and wide mix of classic and creative pizzas. For a lot of people, it’s tied to birthday parties, after-game dinners, and easy family nights out. That’s part of what makes it feel so nostalgic.
The Mac & Cheese Pizza stands out because it leans all the way into comfort food. It’s rich, creamy, cheesy, and filling. The tender macaroni sits over a soft crust like a blanket, while the cheese on top turns bubbly and lightly golden in the oven. Every bite has that mix of chewy crust, creamy pasta, and stretchy melted cheese. It’s simple, but it really hits the spot.
Just to be clear, Cici’s is a brand name, and this is a copycat recipe inspired by their pizza. It is not the restaurant’s actual recipe, and we are not claiming any connection to the company.
Why This Copycat Recipe Works
This homemade version keeps things easy for a home kitchen. Instead of trying to make it complicated, we focus on the flavors and textures people want most:
- Soft pizza crust that bakes up tender with lightly crisp edges
- Creamy macaroni and cheese that does not dry out in the oven
- Extra shredded cheese on top for that buffet-style finish
- Simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store
Think of it like making a cozy casserole on top of pizza dough. It sounds playful, and it is, but it also works really well.
Ingredients for Copycat Mac & Cheese Pizza
Servings: 8 slices
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 18 to 22 minutes
Total time: About 40 minutes
For the pizza crust:
- 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal, optional, for the pan
For the macaroni and cheese topping:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
For the top:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional for garnish
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Colander
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Pizza pan or baking sheet
- Oven
No fancy pizza oven needed. A regular oven does the job just fine.
How to Make Copycat Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza
Step 1: Preheat the oven.
Preheat your oven to 425°F. If you are using a pizza pan or baking sheet, lightly grease it with olive oil. If you like a little texture on the bottom, sprinkle a bit of cornmeal on the pan first.
Step 2: Cook the macaroni.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, usually about 1 minute less than the package says. You want the pasta slightly firm because it will cook a bit more in the oven. Drain well and set aside.
Step 3: Make the cheese sauce.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. This removes the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking so the sauce stays smooth. Keep stirring for 2 to 3 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then stir in the cheddar and mozzarella a little at a time. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine the pasta and cheese sauce.
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece is coated. The mixture should be creamy and scoopable, not dry. If it looks too thick, add a splash of milk.
Step 5: Shape the pizza dough.
Stretch or roll the pizza dough into a 12-inch to 14-inch circle or rectangle, depending on your pan. Press it out evenly so the crust bakes at the same rate. If the dough keeps shrinking back, let it rest for 5 minutes, then try again.
Step 6: Prebake the crust.
This step helps prevent a soggy center. Bake the plain crust for 5 to 6 minutes, just until it starts to set but is not fully browned.
Step 7: Add the mac and cheese.
Remove the crust from the oven. Spoon the macaroni and cheese over the crust and spread it into an even layer, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
Step 8: Top with more cheese.
Sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan evenly over the top. That final layer gives it the melty, golden top that makes this pizza look and taste extra special.
Step 9: Bake the pizza.
Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 13 to 16 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is hot and bubbly. If you want more browning on top, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, but watch it closely.
Step 10: Rest, slice, and serve.
Let the pizza rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the topping settle so it does not slide off. Sprinkle with parsley if you want a little color, then slice and serve warm.
Food Safety Tips
Even simple comfort food recipes should be made safely. A few easy habits go a long way.
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after cooking.
- Keep dairy products refrigerated until you need them.
- If you add any meat like bacon or chicken, cook it fully first.
- For chicken toppings, make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Store leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F before eating.
Easy Shortcuts for Busy Nights
Want this easy mac and cheese pizza recipe to come together even faster? Here are a few smart shortcuts:
- Use refrigerated pizza dough from the grocery store.
- Use boxed mac and cheese instead of homemade cheese sauce.
- Shred cheese ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
- Use an oven-ready pizza crust if you really need to save time.
If you use boxed mac and cheese, make it a little thicker than usual so it stays put on the crust better.
Casserole-Style and Kid-Friendly Option
If rolling pizza dough sounds like too much after a long day, there’s an even easier route. Use canned pizza dough in a rectangular baking pan and turn this into more of a tray bake style dinner. It still gives you the same flavor, but with less fuss.
You can also make individual mini pizzas with small dough rounds. Kids usually love this. It turns dinner into a hands-on activity, which can be a lifesaver on weekends or school breaks.
Best Toppings and Variations
This pizza is tasty as written, but you can dress it up if you want. Here are a few ideas:
- Bacon mac and cheese pizza: Add cooked crumbled bacon on top before baking
- Buffalo chicken mac and cheese pizza: Add cooked shredded chicken and a drizzle of buffalo sauce
- Broccoli mac and cheese pizza: Add small steamed broccoli pieces for a veggie boost
- Extra cheesy pizza: Use Monterey Jack or Colby Jack with the cheddar
- Garlic crust: Brush the edges with melted butter and garlic powder after baking
It’s one of those recipes that’s easy to make your own. Kind of like a blank canvas, but much cheesier.
Allergy-Friendly and Diet Preference Swaps
This is where a homemade copycat recipe really shines. You can tweak it to fit your family’s needs without losing the comfort food feel.
Gluten-free:
- Use your favorite gluten-free pizza crust
- Swap regular elbow macaroni for gluten-free pasta
- Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the cheese sauce
Dairy-free:
- Use plant-based butter
- Use unsweetened plain oat milk or almond milk
- Choose dairy-free shredded cheddar and mozzarella alternatives
- Skip Parmesan or use a dairy-free version
Vegan:
- Use vegan pizza dough
- Use dairy-free pasta and cheese sauce ingredients
- Check labels carefully, since some store-bought doughs contain milk
Lower-lactose:
- Try lactose-free milk
- Use aged cheddar, which some people find easier to handle
- Choose lactose-free cheese products if available
Egg-free:
- This recipe is naturally egg-free in many cases, but check your dough and pasta labels
Higher-protein:
- Add cooked diced chicken
- Mix in protein pasta
- Use a little cottage cheese blended into the sauce for extra protein
Vegetarian:
- The base recipe is vegetarian as long as your cheeses are made without animal rennet, if that matters to you
Not paleo:
- This dish is not a natural fit for paleo because of the crust, pasta, and cheese. If needed, your best bet is a grain-free crust with a paleo-style creamy sauce, but the final result will be quite different.
These swaps help make the recipe more flexible, which is always useful when you’re feeding a group.
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
These numbers are estimates for 1 slice out of 8 and will vary based on the dough and cheese brands you use.
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 670mg
What to Serve with Mac & Cheese Pizza
This pizza is rich, so I like serving it with something fresh and simple. A crisp green salad works well. So do carrot sticks, celery, or even a bowl of fruit for kids. If you’re planning a full pizza night, pair it with breadsticks or wings and let everyone build their own plate.
If you’ve got game night or a casual movie night coming up, this is a fun one to put in the middle of the table.
Leftovers and Reheating Tips
Leftovers keep well, which is always nice. Store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat in the oven:
- Place slices on a baking sheet
- Heat at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes
To reheat in the air fryer:
- Heat at 325°F for 3 to 4 minutes
To reheat in the microwave:
- Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds until hot
The oven or air fryer gives the best texture. The microwave is quick, but the crust will be softer.
Final Thoughts
This copycat Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza is cheesy, cozy, and easy enough for a beginner home cook. It has that fun buffet-style feel, but you get to enjoy it fresh from your own oven. That’s hard to beat.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you keep it classic, or add your own spin with bacon, chicken, or veggies? Leave a comment and share your version. And if this recipe made your pizza night a little more fun, please share it with friends and family too.
Disclaimer
This is a copycat recipe inspired by Cici’s Mac & Cheese Pizza. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Cici’s, and no knowledge of their actual proprietary recipe is implied.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. This means we may earn from qualifying purchases through Amazon links at no extra cost to you.
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